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Direct-to-Consumer Drug Advertising

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For your second paper you are to consider a particular case, namely, that of direct-to-consumer drug advertising. The details of the case are set forth on pp 319-320 of your text. You are to decide if direct-to-consumer advertising of pharmaceutical drugs is ethical. Does the advertising lead to self-diagnosis or take advantage of someone's hope for a cure? If you decide that the direct-to-consumer advertising of pharmaceuticals is ethical, why is the U.S. and New Zealand the only two developed countries that allow it?
Whether you decide the advertising is ethical or unethical, argue your case from a deontological point of view. That means that you may use and apply Kant's categorical imperative, or Rawl's principles of justice. Remember, a deontological approach mandates that one's duty is to do what is morally right and to avoid what is morally wrong, regardless of the consequences.

In arguing your case, assume that you are writing for a general audience, and write in such a way as to try to convince your readers that you are correct in your moral judgment. To do this you will have to present and develop your arguments along one or more of the deontological approaches. After presenting your initial argument, consider at least one argument on the other side. This antithetical argument may be either deontological or utilitarian in nature. Then answer that alternative argument.
Your paper should come to a definite conclusion concerning the case.In summary: (1) choose which deontological method you will use and indicate that method; (2) use that method, developing the argument in support of your case; (3) present and answer an argument on the other side; and (4) draw the conclusion to which your argument leads you.

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The deontological method that I will use in support of my position will be Immanuel Kant's theory, which argues that to act in a morally right way, people must act from duty. In addition, the theory of Kant argues that it is not the consequences of the actions that matter but the motives of a person.
I favor the direct to consumer drug advertising. The duty of the FDA and the government is to provide an opportunity to drug companies to communicate direct with their potential consumers. The motive of allowing direct to consumer drug advertising is to encourage free communication to the patients about the drugs being sold by these ...

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